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Types Of Lenses

Single Vision

Single vision lenses have one single prescription across their entire surface i.e reading, distance or intermediate (computers).
Depending on your prescription you may only need to wear your single vision glasses for certain activities such as for driving, working or reading.

If you need to wear glasses for both distance and near vision, you can have separate pairs of single vision glasses dedicated to each task. However, you may wish to consider the benefits of Varifocals.

Bifocal

Bifocals contain two lens powers and have a line to divide the two sections. Usually the main part of the lens corrects your distance vision with a smaller area of the lower part of the lens correcting your reading prescription. Unlike varifocals, bifocals are unable to offer an intermediate correction.

Bifocals are available in a range of different shapes and sizes. We use a D28 bifocal as standard. This means the reading part of the lens has a flat top and a curved bottom (like a D) which is 28mm across at the widest part. We are able to supply a range of different bifocals on request please call 01434 221122 if you would like to request a different type of bifocal.

Varifocal

Varifocal lenses (also known as progressive lenses) allow for multiple fields of vision. The lens is designed to gradually change from the distance power to the reading power as it progresses down the lens. These lenses may be beneficial if you use computers as they allow for intermediate vision as well as reading and distance.
Not everyone will "get on" with bifocal or varifocal lenses so it is important to get your optician`s advice on which type of lens to try.

The main benefit of varifocals is that you do not need to swap between glasses for different tasks.

Varifocal lenses will have some distortion around the edges, some people notice this more than others. With any new prescription lenses a period of adaptation is normal. We would usually suggest allowing a month to get used to them.

If your prescription is quite strong we may need an old pair of your successfully worn varifocal lenses so we can calculate the fitting measurements for the new frames, it does not matter if the prescription is out of date so long as you found the spectacles comfortable to wear and see through originally. In any case we will need your pupillary distance often written as PD on your prescription.

Jai Kudo Freeform Varifocal

Jai Kudo wide view varifocals offer a wider viewing area with less distortion compared to a standard varifocal lens.

The Jai Kudo Wide View are a perfect introduction to varifocal (progressive) lenses. They are specifically developed to address non-tolerance problems for patients who are new to varifocals and for those who have had issues with varifocals in the past. Adjusting to multiple prescriptions in a single lens can be daunting and difficult for some, most wearers will find with Jai Kudo wide view lenses the progression from distance to reading is much more comfortable.

Lens Ranges

Reading

Single vision reading lenses are used for up close reading, these would not be suitable for distance use.

Intermediate (Computers)

Intermediate lenses have the optimum point of vision at approximately arms length. For example reading music or using the computer. These lenses would not be suitable for distance use.

Distance / Driving

Distance lenses enable wearers to see in to the distance. These are often used for driving or watching TV.

Many people who have a distance prescription will wear their glasses all day for all activities including reading and using the computer.

Lens Thickness

1.6 thin high index & 1.74 Ultra thin lenses

High Index lenses are a good option if you would like thinner and lighter lenses. We would recommend high index lenses if you have a particularly strong prescription as they will look more attractive in the frame and be more comfortable for the wearer.

The 'thinness' of the high index lenses is determined by its index of refraction. In short the higher the refractive index the thinner the lens.

Your eyeglass prescription also determines what level of high-index you might want for your lens. The highest index materials are used primarily for the strongest prescriptions. For most prescriptions the 1.6 refractive index will be perfectly suitable. A very strong prescription (over +\- 5) may benefit from the 1.74 ultra thin to see the best results.

If you have ordered high index lenses and we do not feel that your prescription would benefit from it we will get in touch and let you know, we never charge customers for unnecessary extras.

High-index lenses can reflect up to 50 percent more light than conventional plastic lenses.

For the best vision and appearance it's a good idea to have MAR coating applied to high-index lenses.